News from ISA

Fall is in the air here in Western Massachusetts and the leaves are just starting to turn. Things should look spectacular in a few weeks. We look forward to seeing you in Springfield, MA in two weeks! It is now time to get your paper(s) to the discussant and chair so that they can prepare their comments for the panel sessions. Please email your paper to your co-panelists (especially the discussant) at least one week before the panel (meaning by next Thursday, October 1. We have also arranged a paper archive for this conference, and we ask that you upload your paper to that site as soon as possible.

Panel chairs are in charge of setting the rules of engagement for the panels, and they should be in touch with panelists in the near future; the standard practice is for each paper presenter to speak for about 12 minutes followed by the discussants’ comments and Q&A, but panel chairs may deviate from that as seems appropriate based on the number of papers on the panel and other factors at their discretion.

PLEASE NOTE: The Springfield Sheraton will provide projectors in every panel room but not computers. If you plan to bring a presentation, please coordinate with your co-panelists, discussants, and chairs to ensure that at least one member of the panel brings a laptop to the session.

We have a great program of panels -- please review the program and complete schedule on the conference website. We are also pleased to announce the conference’s major events.

First, on Thursday, October 8 from 5:30 to 7:00pm we will hold an opening reception and exhibit followed by a talk by award winning photojournalist, Pete Muller. Pete is based in Nairobi, Kenya and we will be featuring an exhibit of his photographs from his current project titled "Masculinity and Conflict." At 6:00pm he will give a short talk on his work followed by a Q&A. Pete Muller's work is routinely featured in the New York Times, The Washington Post, and National Geographic.

Second, on Friday, October 9, from 6:30 - 8:30pm we will hold a plenary dinner and keynote address. Colin Kahl, Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Adviser to the Vice President will deliver a speech titled "Balancing and Rebalancing American Foreign Policy in a Complex World."

In addition, we are planning to provide a showing of The UN: Last Station Before Hell -- a documentary film followed by a talk-back by Professor Lise Morje Howard of Georgetown University. She has been advising on the project. We will provide information on the time and location.

Finally, on Friday from 5:00pm to 6:30pm immediately following the conclusion of the panels on Friday, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell Center for Terrorism and Security Studies will be hosting a reception at the Sheraton Hotel.

Please note, we've reshuffled the program somewhat to deal with withdrawals. Make sure you double check your schedule and let me know if there are any problems.

The International Studies Association

Representing 100 countries, ISA has over 6,500 members worldwide and is the most respected and widely known scholarly association in this field. Endeavoring to create communities of scholars dedicated to international studies, ISA is divided into 6 geographic subdivisions of ISA (Regions), 29 thematic groups (Sections) and 4 Caucuses which provide opportunities to exchange ideas and research with local colleagues and within specific subject areas.